Staff Attorney, Public Benefits Law Unit

Legal Aid DC seeks a staff attorney or an experienced staff attorney for its Public Benefits Law Unit.  

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.  

Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org. 

Legal Aid DC’s Public Benefits Law Unit consists of supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, a public benefits specialist, an intake specialist, and an administrative assistant. The unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to accessing essential safety net benefits such as Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and DC HealthCare Alliance. Unit attorneys represent and advise clients in matters before local and federal tribunals, including the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, Social Security Office of Hearing Operations, and U.S. District Court, and engage in systemic policy advocacy and litigation on behalf of our client community. The attorney will report to a supervising attorney in the Public Benefits Law Unit.  

Responsibilities 

All Applicants - 

• Handle a caseload of increasingly complex public benefits matters in all of the programs that the unit handles (including ones involving access to public benefits for non-citizens) 
• Engage in community outreach 
• Engage in written and oral advocacy with federal and District agencies 
• Engage in policy advocacy and other systemic reform efforts to address systemic issues impacting the client community 

Experienced Applicants - in addition to the above, experienced applicants will: 

• Help mentor, train, or co-counsel cases with less experienced attorneys, loaned associates, and fellows 
• Participate in conflict clearance 
• Undertake other organizational functions as needed 

Qualifications 

• Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is required 
• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice 
• Strong legal analysis, organizational, oral and written communication, and leadership skills 
• The ability to work collaboratively with clients, Legal Aid staff, legal and social services providers in other organizations 
• For all applicants, experience in, or knowledge of, DC public benefits programs 
• For experienced staff attorney applicants, a minimum of five or more years of legal experience in public benefits or related work 
• Litigation and/or advocacy experience strongly preferred 
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community preferred but not required 

Salary and Benefits 

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's based on years of full-time legal experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows:

• Entry-level attorney just passing the bar: $71,054 
• Attorney with three years full-time legal work experience: $78,277 
• Attorney with five years full-time legal work experience: $85,852 
• Attorney with ten years full-time legal work experience: $93,427 

Legal Aid generally provides two salary increases per year: a cost-of-living increase at the beginning of the year and a step increase in July. 

Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package, including eligibility for fully paid health insurance, annual retirement match, 13 paid holidays, 20 days of annual leave per year and 15 days of sick leave per year.   

Click here for full salary scale and additional benefits information. 

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. New hires start with a 90-day probationary period before they are considered full-time, regular employees. 

To Apply 

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position has a closing date of February 14, 2025.  No emails or phone calls, please. 

Salary : $71,054 - $93,427